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3.13 AVERAGE
3.13 AVERAGE
3.5 stars
So...I actually really enjoyed this. It’s not amazing or anything, but based on all the low ratings and DNF reviews I was fully expecting to hate it. Instead, I got totally caught up in the story and finished this in a few days.
I can kind of liken this to my experience reading [b:Frostblood|27827203|Frostblood (Frostblood Saga, #1)|Elly Blake|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1471381624s/27827203.jpg|47807988] and other (what I like to call) crack fantasy books: it’s just really, really entertaining. Under normal circumstances I’d be so annoyed with a character like Anna, because she’s almost stupidly naive. She just lets people lead her around and tell her whether something is safe/not safe/whatever, and she doesn’t stop to think that maybe she’s being manipulated (which, let’s be real, she totally is). And she doesn’t bother to learn anything about herself or her power. But the setting (19th century Hungary) is unique for YA, the story goes along at a good clip, and the world building and use of mythology was really interesting.
I can see how other people would dislike this (see: my above complaint about the main character), but honestly all the elements of this story just mixed together in the right way at the right time for me. I’ll definitely be checking out the sequel.
So...I actually really enjoyed this. It’s not amazing or anything, but based on all the low ratings and DNF reviews I was fully expecting to hate it. Instead, I got totally caught up in the story and finished this in a few days.
I can kind of liken this to my experience reading [b:Frostblood|27827203|Frostblood (Frostblood Saga, #1)|Elly Blake|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1471381624s/27827203.jpg|47807988] and other (what I like to call) crack fantasy books: it’s just really, really entertaining. Under normal circumstances I’d be so annoyed with a character like Anna, because she’s almost stupidly naive. She just lets people lead her around and tell her whether something is safe/not safe/whatever, and she doesn’t stop to think that maybe she’s being manipulated (which, let’s be real, she totally is). And she doesn’t bother to learn anything about herself or her power. But the setting (19th century Hungary) is unique for YA, the story goes along at a good clip, and the world building and use of mythology was really interesting.
I can see how other people would dislike this (see: my above complaint about the main character), but honestly all the elements of this story just mixed together in the right way at the right time for me. I’ll definitely be checking out the sequel.
Liked the Hungarian element, interesting concept of magic, good supporting characters.
Blood Rose Rebellion is one of the more highly anticipated debuts for Spring 2017. In many respects, it holds characteristics that are common in YA fantasy, however, the setting and folklore make it stand out from the crowd. The story begins in London but several chapters in the setting changes to that of Hungary, which is a country that I’ve not seen pop up in any of the fantasy I’ve read. The folklore is similar to that found in stories like The Bear and the Nightingale, which was set in Russia- yet again something that hasn’t yet been overdone in fantasy literature.
Anna Arden is a member of a prominent Luminate family but lacks the magic that so defines every member of that social class. She can however destroy spells, which is no easy task and should be impossible for anyone that can’t seem to access the reservoir of magic employed by the Luminate. After a bit of a scandal, Anna is packed off to mainland Europe to accompany her aging grandmother back to her homeland of Hungary. In Hungary, she’s surprised to find a place of her own, though not necessarily a place her family would approve of. As in many YA books, there’s political dissent, a young heroine, and enough tragedy to make the story seem legitimate rather than another gilded fairy tale, and a difficult decision that will be pivotal for the entire social system.
Am I the only one that is getting a bit fed up with the constant repetition of themes across YA fantasy? I give Rosalyn Eves due credit for making her story somewhat unique among a herd of sameness, but changing the setting and giving the story an Eastern European influence can’t hide the fact that’s it’s really just more of the same. I did appreciate the fact that Anna didn’t suffer from the plague of insta-love and her romance was much more slow burning than I usually see. Anna and her acquaintances choices also had very real, serious repercussions that didn’t affect only themselves, but the entire society. People were killed, thrown into prison, and suffered other consequences for the choices made by themselves and others.
Blood Rose Rebellion certainly had its pros and cons, but was an enjoyable book and a strong debut. I suppose I’m feeling jaded with the YA genre and as a result may be over-critical about certain aspects, but all genres seem to go through fazes. Right now it’s the political dissent/unique culture faze, which is cool but everything begins to feel overused so quickly. I loved that this book had me googling pictures, terms, and historical events. I think it’s great that by reading fantasy I can also learn a little about a new topic! Overall, I would say that yes, Blood Rose Rebellion is definitely worth a read.
Anna Arden is a member of a prominent Luminate family but lacks the magic that so defines every member of that social class. She can however destroy spells, which is no easy task and should be impossible for anyone that can’t seem to access the reservoir of magic employed by the Luminate. After a bit of a scandal, Anna is packed off to mainland Europe to accompany her aging grandmother back to her homeland of Hungary. In Hungary, she’s surprised to find a place of her own, though not necessarily a place her family would approve of. As in many YA books, there’s political dissent, a young heroine, and enough tragedy to make the story seem legitimate rather than another gilded fairy tale, and a difficult decision that will be pivotal for the entire social system.
Am I the only one that is getting a bit fed up with the constant repetition of themes across YA fantasy? I give Rosalyn Eves due credit for making her story somewhat unique among a herd of sameness, but changing the setting and giving the story an Eastern European influence can’t hide the fact that’s it’s really just more of the same. I did appreciate the fact that Anna didn’t suffer from the plague of insta-love and her romance was much more slow burning than I usually see. Anna and her acquaintances choices also had very real, serious repercussions that didn’t affect only themselves, but the entire society. People were killed, thrown into prison, and suffered other consequences for the choices made by themselves and others.
Blood Rose Rebellion certainly had its pros and cons, but was an enjoyable book and a strong debut. I suppose I’m feeling jaded with the YA genre and as a result may be over-critical about certain aspects, but all genres seem to go through fazes. Right now it’s the political dissent/unique culture faze, which is cool but everything begins to feel overused so quickly. I loved that this book had me googling pictures, terms, and historical events. I think it’s great that by reading fantasy I can also learn a little about a new topic! Overall, I would say that yes, Blood Rose Rebellion is definitely worth a read.
I gave this book 3.5 stars.
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the historical fiction elements mixed with magic. I loved how she tackled also race and female roles in society and also prejudice. I various magic systems were the coolest part of this novel. I also enjoyed the various setting that we went to in this novel. I thought the story towards the middle did slow down and did get lost in some of the details. But i was really engaged by the lead. I am excited to see what book two brings.
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the historical fiction elements mixed with magic. I loved how she tackled also race and female roles in society and also prejudice. I various magic systems were the coolest part of this novel. I also enjoyed the various setting that we went to in this novel. I thought the story towards the middle did slow down and did get lost in some of the details. But i was really engaged by the lead. I am excited to see what book two brings.
I was highly anticipating Blood Rose Rebellion ever since I heard it pitched as "[b:Red Queen|22328546|Red Queen (Red Queen, #1)|Victoria Aveyard|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1449778912s/22328546.jpg|25037051] meets [b:Les Misérables|24280|Les Misérables|Victor Hugo|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1411852091s/24280.jpg|3208463]." Unfortunately, the end result ended up being rather underwhelming and unsatisfactory, and I was just hoping for a bit more.2.5 stars
Despite being born to a powerful, magical family, 16-year-old Anna is a Barren - someone without any magic. Anna is disowned by her family and exiled to Hungary, where the Barren are in the midst of a revolution. When Anna discovers she has a power that could change the course of the Revolution, she must weigh freedom and loyalty.
The plot feels rather simplistic and unoriginal; there is nothing about it that stands out when compared to any of the various other YA fantasy novels on the market. As an avid reader, it is difficult and frustrating to read the same thing over and over again, and I just wish there was something about the plot to help make it more memorable.
Anna herself is a decent heroine. She's not exceptionally well-written or memorable, but she is entertaining nonetheless. In the end, Anna just needed more complexity and depth to her characterization to help her stand out and be more memorable.
Those who aren't avid readers will probably enjoy this novel more, but avid fantasy readers may find it to be mediocre without much of anything to add to the YA fantasy genre. For those looking for a superb fantasy novel, I'd recommend reading [b:The Winner's Curse|16069030|The Winner's Curse (The Winner's Trilogy, #1)|Marie Rutkoski|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1377023523s/16069030.jpg|21861552] or [b:Six of Crows|23437156|Six of Crows (Six of Crows, #1)|Leigh Bardugo|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1459349344s/23437156.jpg|42077459] instead.
Not much of an introduction. You jump right in. And not everything makes sense because nothing is really explained. The author really isn't that great at describing characters or the setting. You don't feel like you're in the story, you're just reading it. Nevertheless, it is an interesting story. Not one that I would really recommend, call amazing, or want more of, but interesting.
Anna sounds like she's way too caught up in her own emotions most of the time. Does she know how spoiled/snobbish she is? How judgmental and even hypocritical she is? She's not really that great of a character. She's a just shallow rich girl who is forced into her circumstances and therefore forced to change. Her thought process goes on forever. Pages and pages of questions that she is asking herself in the middle of what is supposed to be dialogue. It doesn't really make sense and it's boring. I want a story, not a book full of the character's same thoughts using different words.
The magic part doesn't really make sense because, as I said before, nothing is really explained. Is this like wizards and muggles live among each other and know about each other, or what? It's honestly just bad writing. It's half baked. The idea is there, but the execution could use some work. Also the "romance" part feels very cliche. Very borrowed. Almost forced. I guess it just HAS to be part of every YA book, so it's just there. A compilation of other cliche romances.
*I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Anna sounds like she's way too caught up in her own emotions most of the time. Does she know how spoiled/snobbish she is? How judgmental and even hypocritical she is? She's not really that great of a character. She's a just shallow rich girl who is forced into her circumstances and therefore forced to change. Her thought process goes on forever. Pages and pages of questions that she is asking herself in the middle of what is supposed to be dialogue. It doesn't really make sense and it's boring. I want a story, not a book full of the character's same thoughts using different words.
The magic part doesn't really make sense because, as I said before, nothing is really explained. Is this like wizards and muggles live among each other and know about each other, or what? It's honestly just bad writing. It's half baked. The idea is there, but the execution could use some work. Also the "romance" part feels very cliche. Very borrowed. Almost forced. I guess it just HAS to be part of every YA book, so it's just there. A compilation of other cliche romances.
*I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Copy provided by publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This review can also be found on my blog.
So when I read the summary for this book, I read "YA fantasy" and got excited. However, what the summary fails to mention is that this isn't just fantasy. Oh, no. It's historical fantasy. Some of you just started jumping up and down in your seats, but if you're anything like me, you just felt a wave of disappointment. I know, I know it's bad to judge a book like this, but I just don't like historical fiction. Or historical nonfiction. Just history in general. There have been a few exceptions, but overall, I just don't like books set in previous time periods (this book is set in the mid-1800s).
Like I said, though, there have been some exceptions, so I decided to forge ahead and try to like this book. And I almost did. Kind of. Okay, so let's just get into some of the pros of this book.
The writing is beautiful. There's some lovely imagery going on, and the world-building is on-point. There's magic and magical creatures. Not gonna lie, the first half of the book is pretty slow. However, the last half makes up for it with some nail-biting action!
Another thing that I enjoyed is that it's set in England, specifically Hungary. There were some German phrases and culture thrown in there, and a lot of the real history from this region and time period was woven in. Again, I feel like the history buffs of the world will enjoy this aspect a lot more. AND there's a pronunciation guide, so you're not pronouncing the German wrong the entire book.
Overall, this is a good book. It's just not for me. If I would have known it was historical fantasy, I probably never would have picked it up. Do I regret reading it? No. Will I read the second book. Probably not. It really all comes down to if this is your type of book or if it's not.
This review can also be found on my blog.
So when I read the summary for this book, I read "YA fantasy" and got excited. However, what the summary fails to mention is that this isn't just fantasy. Oh, no. It's historical fantasy. Some of you just started jumping up and down in your seats, but if you're anything like me, you just felt a wave of disappointment. I know, I know it's bad to judge a book like this, but I just don't like historical fiction. Or historical nonfiction. Just history in general. There have been a few exceptions, but overall, I just don't like books set in previous time periods (this book is set in the mid-1800s).
Like I said, though, there have been some exceptions, so I decided to forge ahead and try to like this book. And I almost did. Kind of. Okay, so let's just get into some of the pros of this book.
The writing is beautiful. There's some lovely imagery going on, and the world-building is on-point. There's magic and magical creatures. Not gonna lie, the first half of the book is pretty slow. However, the last half makes up for it with some nail-biting action!
Another thing that I enjoyed is that it's set in England, specifically Hungary. There were some German phrases and culture thrown in there, and a lot of the real history from this region and time period was woven in. Again, I feel like the history buffs of the world will enjoy this aspect a lot more. AND there's a pronunciation guide, so you're not pronouncing the German wrong the entire book.
Overall, this is a good book. It's just not for me. If I would have known it was historical fantasy, I probably never would have picked it up. Do I regret reading it? No. Will I read the second book. Probably not. It really all comes down to if this is your type of book or if it's not.
DNF @ 30%
This was not holding my attention, especially after Anna goes to Hungary with her grandmother. The world building was somewhat interesting, but the special snowflake with powers beyond anyone's comprehension wasn't doing it for me. Labeled a Barren, or someone without magic, she actually has the ability to break spells. How no one figured this out but a guy who was trying to break the Binding that reserved all magic for the wealthy Luminate, I'll never know. In the end, I didn't care enough about Anna or her "lack" of magic to keep reading.
This was not holding my attention, especially after Anna goes to Hungary with her grandmother. The world building was somewhat interesting, but the special snowflake with powers beyond anyone's comprehension wasn't doing it for me. Labeled a Barren, or someone without magic, she actually has the ability to break spells. How no one figured this out but a guy who was trying to break the Binding that reserved all magic for the wealthy Luminate, I'll never know. In the end, I didn't care enough about Anna or her "lack" of magic to keep reading.
Review originally posted on Taylor Fenner's Bookish World
"I did not set out to ruin my sister's debut."
Those words draw you into Blood Rose Rebellion, where sixteen-year-old Anna Arden lives in high society London among the powerful, magical Luminates - except Anna has no power of her own. Thought a freak by her family's social circle and the disappointment of her mother, Anna wishes desperately that she could possess magic and that she could be with the young man she has feelings for, Freddy.
But on the night of her sister Catherine's debut into Luminate society, Anna finds out that Freddy has also been seeing her sister and her anger somehow manages to break her sister's spell weaving and ruin her debut. As members of the governing London Circle of Luminates begin asking questions as to how a Barren Luminate had the ability to break through her sister's spells, Anna's father and grandmother decide that it's best for her to leave London and travel to her grandmother's homeland, Hungary.
Anna feels as if her life is over as she is exiled from her home and taken away from her younger brother, James, and from Freddy - who didn't want to marry her anyway. In Hungary, Anna and her grandmother arrive at Esterhaza, a grand palace owned by Anna's grandmother's cousin Janos and she meets her cousins, indifferent Noemi and the entertaining Matyas. As she settles into her new home Anna realizes this might have been what she needed after all, for in Hungary she can be herself.
By chance, she meets a Romani boy named Gabor, who both infuriates her and intrigues her - and he may be the key to her learning how to do some magic. But will Gabor help? Or is the risk too much for the both of them? At the same time a young revolutionary, William Skala has learned of Anna's ability to break spells and tries to recruit her to break the Binding that holds all the world's magic in the Circle's firm fists. And he's not the only one who wants Anna to break the Binding.
The Revolution is stirring and starting and whether Anna wants it or not she's about to be swept up in the tidal wave for freedom from the Circle's oppressive regime, the Hapsburg dynasty and for Hungary's freedom. As Anna grows closer to Gabor and her cousins, she must decide whether it's worth it to break the Binding - or whether breaking the Binding will cause more harm than good.
For Rosalyn Eves's debut novel I thought the writing and storytelling were beautiful. I loved the history woven into the story and the fantasy twist on historical politics for the time the book is set in.
Anna was a strong main character that I instantly liked and I loved the relationship she had with her grandmother and how protective she was with her younger brother.
The story kept my attention the whole way through and I kept wondering who Anna could trust and who would betray her. From the secondary characters, I loved Matyas, Noemi, Ginny, Gabor, and even Hunger. Also, the Romani beliefs and the world within the Binding fascinated me and I hope to learn more about both in the books to come.
The only thing I wish there could have been a little more of was romance. While I liked Anna and Gabor's connection and I understand the book was mainly about Anna coming into her own and finding her place in the rebellion I thought that the building of their relationship kind of got lost somewhere along the way.
Overall, I loved Blood Rose Rebellion and I'm already dying to read the next book. I thought it was a very satisfying read filled with magic, political uprising, hope and heartbreak, and Anna's discovery of who she is and who she will become. I'm eager to see what the next book holds for her and the others.
My Rating:
4.90 of 5 Stars
"I did not set out to ruin my sister's debut."
Those words draw you into Blood Rose Rebellion, where sixteen-year-old Anna Arden lives in high society London among the powerful, magical Luminates - except Anna has no power of her own. Thought a freak by her family's social circle and the disappointment of her mother, Anna wishes desperately that she could possess magic and that she could be with the young man she has feelings for, Freddy.
But on the night of her sister Catherine's debut into Luminate society, Anna finds out that Freddy has also been seeing her sister and her anger somehow manages to break her sister's spell weaving and ruin her debut. As members of the governing London Circle of Luminates begin asking questions as to how a Barren Luminate had the ability to break through her sister's spells, Anna's father and grandmother decide that it's best for her to leave London and travel to her grandmother's homeland, Hungary.
Anna feels as if her life is over as she is exiled from her home and taken away from her younger brother, James, and from Freddy - who didn't want to marry her anyway. In Hungary, Anna and her grandmother arrive at Esterhaza, a grand palace owned by Anna's grandmother's cousin Janos and she meets her cousins, indifferent Noemi and the entertaining Matyas. As she settles into her new home Anna realizes this might have been what she needed after all, for in Hungary she can be herself.
By chance, she meets a Romani boy named Gabor, who both infuriates her and intrigues her - and he may be the key to her learning how to do some magic. But will Gabor help? Or is the risk too much for the both of them? At the same time a young revolutionary, William Skala has learned of Anna's ability to break spells and tries to recruit her to break the Binding that holds all the world's magic in the Circle's firm fists. And he's not the only one who wants Anna to break the Binding.
The Revolution is stirring and starting and whether Anna wants it or not she's about to be swept up in the tidal wave for freedom from the Circle's oppressive regime, the Hapsburg dynasty and for Hungary's freedom. As Anna grows closer to Gabor and her cousins, she must decide whether it's worth it to break the Binding - or whether breaking the Binding will cause more harm than good.
For Rosalyn Eves's debut novel I thought the writing and storytelling were beautiful. I loved the history woven into the story and the fantasy twist on historical politics for the time the book is set in.
Anna was a strong main character that I instantly liked and I loved the relationship she had with her grandmother and how protective she was with her younger brother.
The story kept my attention the whole way through and I kept wondering who Anna could trust and who would betray her. From the secondary characters, I loved Matyas, Noemi, Ginny, Gabor, and even Hunger. Also, the Romani beliefs and the world within the Binding fascinated me and I hope to learn more about both in the books to come.
The only thing I wish there could have been a little more of was romance. While I liked Anna and Gabor's connection and I understand the book was mainly about Anna coming into her own and finding her place in the rebellion I thought that the building of their relationship kind of got lost somewhere along the way.
Overall, I loved Blood Rose Rebellion and I'm already dying to read the next book. I thought it was a very satisfying read filled with magic, political uprising, hope and heartbreak, and Anna's discovery of who she is and who she will become. I'm eager to see what the next book holds for her and the others.
My Rating:
4.90 of 5 Stars
Wasn't super into it, the pacing was a bit slow for my tastes.